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Fishing Guides · North Dakota

Fishing Guides in North Dakota

Cast 16 guides across North Dakota. Maps, hours, contact info, photos, and verified operator profiles, all in one place.

Theodore Roosevelt badlands, the Missouri Coteau, and the Red River Valley.

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Highest rated

Fishing Guides in North Dakota by Google rating

Ranked by Google rating, then by number of reviews, across the 6 of 16 guides in North Dakota with 10 or more Google reviews. A blank cell means we do not have that detail yet.

GuideCityFishingRating
Mike Peluso Outdoors, Bismarck, NDBismarckIce Fishing, Walleye Fishing, Bass Fishing +15.053 Google reviews
Stringers Outfitters, Devils Lake, NDDevils LakeIce Fishing, Walleye Fishing5.018 Google reviews
Big John's Guide Service, Devils Lake, NDDevils LakeWalleye Fishing, Musky & Pike5.010 Google reviews
Reel Fishing Guides, Bismarck, NDBismarckWalleye Fishing5.010 Google reviews
Perch Eyes Guide Service & Lodging, Minnewaukan, NDMinnewaukanWalleye Fishing4.928 Google reviews
Bry's Guide Service, Devils Lake, NDDevils Lake4.782 Google reviews

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16 guides in North Dakota

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Top camping

Most-booked campgrounds in North Dakota

Federal campgrounds in North Dakota that Recreation.gov lists for fishing, ranked by how many times they were booked in fiscal 2025.

  1. Downstream Campground1

    Downstream Campground

    2,439 bookings
  2. Beaver Creek Recreation Area2

    Beaver Creek Recreation Area

    852 bookings
  3. 3

    Mel Rieman Rec

    751 bookings
  4. Wolf Creek Campground4

    Wolf Creek Campground

    300 bookings
  5. East Totten Trail Campground5

    East Totten Trail Campground

    299 bookings

Bookings: Recreation.gov, fiscal 2025 (Oct 2024 to Sep 2025).

On the map

Guide businesses, fishing spots, rivers & creeks and camping in North Dakota

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Browse all 983 fishing spots

About North Dakota

Anglers who drive past North Dakota are missing some of the best walleye water in the country. Lake Sakakawea, Devils Lake, and the Red River anchor a prairie fishery that punches far above its profile: trophy walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, and channel catfish in water that still feels big and empty. Book a guide here and the scale of it becomes the point: miles of shoreline, few boats, and fish that don't see much pressure.

The Missouri River System is the heavyweight. Lake Sakakawea alone stretches nearly 180 miles, a reservoir the size of some eastern states' entire fishing programs, and its walleye and pike draw serious anglers from across the country. Guides who work it daily know how to break that enormous water down to the spots that matter. East of there, Devils Lake, North Dakota's largest natural lake, grinds out yellow perch, walleye, and pike season after season, and its ice fishing is legendary. Both fisheries are backed by strong management and healthy populations.

Then there's the Red River of the North, running along the eastern border, where channel catfish grow to sizes that have made the river internationally known among catfish anglers. Scattered across the rest of the state, smaller reservoirs and prairie lakes hold panfish and bass in quieter settings. A guide is what turns all this open country into a fishing trip: local knowledge of where the fish are staged, what they're eating, and how these particular waters fish on this particular day.

Best time to go

When to fish in North Dakota

May through October.

Quick facts

Fishing spots mapped
983
Rivers mapped
351
Guides listed
16
Best season
May through October

Trip guide

Know before you go in North Dakota

Confirm current requirements with the agency that sets them before your trip. Rules and fees change every season.

  • North Dakota Fishing License

    All individuals 16 years of age or older must possess a valid North Dakota fishing license to fish in the state's waters. Non-residents have specific license options, including annual, short-term, and family licenses. These licenses are required even when fishing with a licensed guide.

  • Non-Resident Regulations

    Non-resident anglers must adhere to all North Dakota fishing regulations, including daily limits, possession limits, and length restrictions for all species. It is crucial to be aware of these rules, as they can differ from those in your home state. Your guide will provide guidance on current regulations, but anglers are ultimately responsible for compliance.

  • Mandatory Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) Compliance

    All boats, including those used by guides, must comply with North Dakota's ANS regulations. This includes cleaning all vegetation, draining all water (including livewells and baitwells), and removing drain plugs when leaving a body of water. Anglers should familiarize themselves with these rules, though guides are generally proactive in compliance.

01What species can I expect to catch with a guide in North Dakota?
Walleye, northern pike, and yellow perch headline the big lakes, Sakakawea and Devils Lake above all. The Red River is the trophy channel catfish water. Depending on region and season, guides also run trips for smallmouth bass and panfish.
02When is the best time of year for a guided fishing trip in North Dakota?
Pick your fish first. Spring and fall are the walleye and pike windows; summer keeps a wide mix of species biting; winter is when the ice fishing for perch, walleye, and pike gets genuinely great. A guide can tell you the sweet spot for whatever you're after.
03Do I need to bring my own fishing gear on a guided trip?
No: rods, reels, tackle, and bait all come with the trip. If there's a favorite rod you'd rather fish with, mention it to your guide ahead of time and bring it along.
04What should I bring with me on a guided fishing trip in North Dakota?
Your valid North Dakota license, layered clothing, sunglasses, a hat, sunscreen, snacks, drinks, and a cooler for the fillets going home. Most guides send a specific packing list before the trip.
05Are guided ice fishing trips available in North Dakota?
Yes, winter is arguably North Dakota's signature season, and plenty of guides work straight through it. Trips typically include heated ice shelters, specialized ice gear, bait, and transport onto the ice, so the day is warm, comfortable, and productive.
06How do North Dakota fishing licenses work for non-residents?
Non-residents 16 and older need a North Dakota license, with annual, three-day, and family options available. Buy online through the North Dakota Game and Fish Department or from an authorized vendor before your guided trip.

Free tools

Your free outdoor toolkit

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River levelsLive levels for every gauged river in North Dakota.
Fishing SpotsBrowse 24,783 named waters, then read the state stocking record: species, size, and when.
River ExplorerExplore named rivers from USGS data. Filter by water type, with live flow where a gauge sits.
Fishing TimesMajor and minor solunar periods, sunrise, sunset and the moon for your exact spot, all week.
Fishing License CheckPick your state, your age and whether you live there for a yes or no from the state's own rule, plus the next free fishing days.
Skill DrillsInteractive 3D drills, one decision at a time. Pick wrong and you watch it fail, then learn why.

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